Can you ever really know someone else?

Thanks for your comments—it’s such a frightening time.

We must support one another to find this beautiful little girl.

Another redhead, Ginger Rogers, said: ‘Only I know my life.’ I think that’s true—you can never know what’s going on in someone else’s life. Bella’s mother never told anyone in Canberra about her first baby. We all assumed Bella was her one and only. What kind of mother doesn’t talk about her other babies?

While she was waiting to see if anyone commented, she checked her phone. No text from Josh with the phone number for the City Suites. Did the place even exist? She was about to google it when comments began popping up.

Jennie says: It’s odd that she didn’t tell you all about the first baby. But I don’t think that makes her guilty necessarily.

Chanel09 says: My depression really made me feel dislocated from my kids.

Lilianna says: Does anyone think Bella is still alive?

Marj says: My big sister went missing before I was born. That was thirty-two years ago and we’re still looking for her.

Someone was banging on the door. Was Lexie back to confront her about the TV interview?

When Tara opened the door she found another playgroup mum, Imogen, on the front porch. Imogen should have asked for her help to set up the Find Bella Facebook page; Tara was much more savvy at social media.

‘Hey, Imogen.’ Tara leant forward to kiss her friend on the cheek but Imogen turned her head away.

The twins pushed past Tara to find Zoe watching My Little Pony. Rude boys. She was glad that she didn’t have boys, particularly ones like these. They’d better not hurt Zoe today.

‘Be careful and don’t be noisy,’ Tara whispered to the boys. ‘I’ve just put Daisy to bed.’

Imogen stood on the doorstep, letting in the cold air. Her face was red and blotchy. Did she have bad news about Bella?

‘Come inside.’ Tara opened the door wider for her.

‘No, I’m not coming in,’ Imogen said, pulling her coat tighter around herself.

‘Do you need help with the Facebook page? I’m pretty good at that sort of thing.’

Maybe when this was all over she and Imogen could team up, figure out a way to make money, like those big mummy bloggers. Of course, she couldn’t let Imogen know that the Crazy Hazy Dayz blog was hers. They’d have to set up a new one together.

‘I can’t believe you’d do that to Lexie.’

The interview? The blog? What did Imogen know?

‘I haven’t done anything,’ Tara said, playing for time. ‘And would you come inside, please? It’s bloody cold out there.’

‘I watched the Weekend Wrap interview again this morning and I recognised your engagement ring.’